My four year-old Chloe sang her first solo, a verse of "Away in a Manger", last night. She was terrific! But in Chloe fashion, before she starts singing, she says to me (I'm the guitar player), "What, dad?" Then after her song, she still wants the mic, and is given the bums rush by a teacher (look at her slow burn reaction). At the end, she decides to make a face, and by the lady's cackling laugh in the background, I swear I thought I was at Amateur Night at the Apollo. Chloe is my princess, so this will be treasured for years to come... :)

Our big news to share this week is that a video clip of Connor singing "Silent Night" in our preschool choir from two years ago will be played this Sunday night, December 13, 2009, on "America's Funniest Home Videos." I don't know why I didn't send it in last year, but it got in for this Christmas. We were actually a little disappointed- I think everyone wishes their video can make it into the top three so you can get flown out to California and be on the show, but although it is a very cute video (you'll see), it wasn't someone getting whacked in the head with a hammer, so it didn't make it to the finals. But, since it is the favorite show for our family to gather and watch together each week, we are nonetheless thrilled, and will be cheering and laughing. Check for the time it broadcasts in your area. It is an ABC show. We will be rushing home from this years' Children's Choir concert to watch!

I took Connor, his Pawpaw Doyle Morrow, and our friends Tate, Travis, and Jordan, to the UFL Championship Game at Sam Boyd Stadium here in Las Vegas. The UFL is an new, upstart football league with a team in Las Vegas, the Locomotives, so Connor and I supported them them this year. We were generously given seats to the Championship Game in the end zone, the dream suite leather seats that recline, by Community Relations Director Ralph Vuono. Thank you, Mr. Vuono! We had a great time on the field before the game, and got a to celebrate the Locos championship with the players as they left the field.




The boys got to meet Florida Tuskers Placekicker Matt Ryan, who just might find his way back to the NFL this week after a successful season with the Tuskers.

Here's a photo of the boys with Locomotives Long Snapper Rigo Morales.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kordell "Slash" Stewart is one of the league's broadcasters this season

Here's a few more photos... That's Connor and his Pawpaw enjoying their luxury dream seats in the end zone of the UFL Championship Game in Las Vegas. The boys got a kick out of giving the players and coaches high fives, especially afte rthe Locos won. There's Connor giving high fives to Locos center Robby Felix, and linebacker Marcus Riley. They boys are seen posing with UFL Commisioner Michael Huyghue, and with the owner of the New York Sentinels, Bill Mayer. There's also a photo of Connor and Travis with Locos QB J.P. Losman.

Connor and I went to see the UNLV Runnin' Rebels play Holy Cross last night, and on the way to the concession stand beforethe game started, we saw future baseball Hall of Famer and UNLV basketball fan Greg Maddux in line, too, and with my iphone, I snapped this photo...

It's been a while since my last post... Chloe had a birthday, it was Halloween, and we had family photos made... my best excuse is that Chloe's birthday and our family photos were shot by an amazing photographer friend who is going to get us the photos real soon, but becuase she's so great it's worth waiting for! No excuse for Halloween photos, though.

Chloe and dad are getting to be real tight... she is able to go to more and more things with me, although it is a process, let me tell you. COnnor is also getting used to his sister encroaching on COnnor/Dad time! Our church sponsored a Japanese Cultural Fair, and so I had her dress up in a little Japan outfit and we took her photo.. she is so cute! The other two photos are from Friday night at Coldstone Creamery with the family.

More photos are coming soon!

Annette and I just returned froma weekend in New York City, attending the Brooklyn Tabernacle Worship Conference in Brooklyn. We had a great time worshipping and being inspired by the ministry and music of the Brooklyn Tabernacle.
SOme of the highlights of our trip included singing with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, getting to see our friend Becki Trueblood and meeting her husband Shawn, who sings with Phillips, Craig, and Dean; taking a bike ride in Central Park (actually, a guy rode us around); and walking the streets of Manhattan. These photos are of Annette at Central Park, on the Broklyn Bridge, and at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

Here's my baby ballerina Chloe Violet, on her way to ballet class each Tuesday. She loves to dance, and the teacher said Chloe is the most attentive little girl in the whole class, and has a lot of potential. Makes me proud... :)


Chloe and Connnor. That boy needs a haircut.
Chloe with Caleb, who looks a little thick in this picture, but actually, he has a pretty good little physique for a 2 year-old. He's stout though, and I think he's gonna make a good football player...

Chloe started preschool on Monday. She was so excited, and happy to have two of Connor's former teachers at the Silversprings preschool.




Annette and Connor and I went to see the Las Vegas 51's the other night, and had terrific seats- second row directly over the dugout. It was jersey night; Connor was given a PCL (Pacific Coast League) official ball by one of the first base coaches; Annette caught a t-shirt; and it was only about a thousand degress with 100% humidity (I was proud of Annette for even going at all). It was a fun night. I think Chloe will be able to go next year (she is a STRONG-willed little girl)...


Here's a recent photo of our church worship taken by our friend Leslie Nemec. I like the way she shoots, and the deep colors she brings out... Thank you Leslie!

Today is Connor's first official day of school- he is a first grader at Lake Mead Christian Academy in Henderson, Nevada. Here's my good looking number-one son on the momentous occassion, by himself and with his mom....

Just got back from a week at Family Camp in the California mountains outside Redlands. We had a ball and hope to get to go next year! I will post more about it soon...